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US 6,642,824 B2Granted
Magnetic encoder with snap action switch
AssigneeGoodrich Avionics Systems, Inc.
InventorDaniel Lee Oomkes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure is directed to an encoder apparatus that is capable of resolving magnetically axial and/or rotational displacements of a knob shaft thereof independently and includes a magnetic snap action switch, and a method of assembling the same. In one embodiment, the encoder apparatus has application as a display controller. In another embodiment, one or more of the encoder assemblies may be integrated into a bezel of a display for controlling the operations thereof.
Claims17
A switch with magnetic snap action comprising:
- a housing having top and bottom sides and a cavity, said housing including an opening on the top side that extends to said cavity:
- at least one permanent magnet fixedly disposed with respect to said housing in said housing cavity;
- a bushing comprising a top portion disposed in the housing opening, and a bottom portion that is disposed in the housing cavity and including the at least one permanent magnet attached thereto, said bushing including a hollow opening centrally located and extending axially therethrough;
- and
- a knob shaft including a top portion that is slidably disposed through said bushing opening, and a bottom portion disposed in the housing cavity and including a member comprised of magnetically attractive material, said knob shaft being held axially in a first position by a magnetic force between said shaft member and said at least one permanent magnet, said knob shaft being displacable from said first position for as long as said magnetic force is overcome by an external force applied to said knob shaft, whereby upon release of said external force, said knob shaft snapping back to said first position by said magnetic force.
2 more elements
A switch with magnetic snap action comprising:
- a housing having top and bottom sides and a cavity, said housing including an opening on the top side that extends to said cavity;
- a plate of magnetically attractive material fixedly disposed at an inside periphery of said housing cavity;
- a knob shaft including a top portion that is slidably disposed through said housing opening, and a bottom portion disposed in said housing cavity and including a permanent magnet, said knob shaft being held axially in a first position with respect to said housing by a magnetic force between said permanent magnet and said plate, said knob shaft being slidably displacable from said first position for as long as said magnetic force is overcome by an external force applied to said knob shaft, whereby upon release of said external force, said knob shaft snapping back to said first position by said magnetic force;
- and
- a sleeve bearing disposed between the knob shaft and housing in the housing opening, said sleeve bearing extending into the housing cavity around the periphery of the knob shaft;
- wherein the plate is disposed between the sleeve bearing and housing in the housing cavity.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.